![]() And each child in return, performed the traditional greeting of an elder-“Shikamoo” while placing their small hand on your head. Mary, Brian, and Michael visiting one kindergarten, presented each child with a cross. There was also time to visit school children. Bishop Mary and the women in our group had a meeting with a group of women from around the diocese, who wanted to know more about what our lives were like, and share some about theirs. But it wasn’t all moving from place to place, there was also time for discussion and reflection. The choirs sang songs they had composed for the occasion, the dancers pulled out all the stops, even dancing with pots of fire on their heads at one school. ![]() Throughout the week, we visited church after church and school after school, where we were greeted with more of their unparalleled hospitality. Being in communion is in the end about relationship, and these three bishops are building a strong relationship, working through difficulties, discussing the issues that divide us, but most of all, walking together in prayer, faith, love, and joy. Bishop Michael envisioned this relationship, linking an African, American, and English diocese, as a way of bridging the divides that threaten our beloved Anglican Communion. I think the best descriptor I can come up with is-the fruit of the Spirit. I’ve put off writing this reflection, because I can’t imagine being able to capture this experience in words. Children along the side of the road joined in the dancing as we passed. ![]() The crowds of people piled into the backs of pickup trucks, and the singing and dancing continued as our convoy processed down the road. The women were wearing special outfits they had made for a march for women, and I noticed that they cheered extra loud when Bishop Mary was introduced to them. And outside the terminal we were greeted by throngs of people who were singing, dancing, cheering, and waving branches. We were greeted at the airport by a reception line that stretched from the plane all the way to the terminal. At every turn we were overwhelmed with the generous hospitality and kindness bestowed on us, not only by Bishop Gerard and his wife Margaret, but by everyone we met. It was a small group of us, Bishop Mary and one of our cannons Brian from our diocese, and Bishop Michael, along with several people from Gloucester. I got to be a part of the inaugural visit for the three-way diocesan companion relationship between our diocese (El Camino Real), the diocese of Gloucester, and the diocese of Western Tnaganyika. Prayer written by Encourager Linda Flagg, M.A.That’s Swahili for “Praise the Lord!” That and “Asante sana” (thank you very much) were the two most important phrases I learned on my recent trip to Tanzania. God Thank You for answering this prayer and Thank You for loving me. Amen, so be it by faith, and by faith, it is so. God forever honor this prayer over each of our lives. Let us all live our lives for Your glory and good pleasure. And God please strengthen each of us to always walk in the character and habits of Christ Jesus. God all that I have asked of You in this prayer, please do the same for the writer of this prayer, all those who love and care about me, and all those I love and care about. God deal with all my enemies according to Your Word. God place Your angels all around me to cover and protect me from all sickness, evil, hurt, harm, danger, accidents, the plans of my enemies, and the plans of the enemy of my soul. God help me to always be aware and walk in the truth, faith, discernment, hope, and love of Your Word and presence in my life. Let the mind that is in Christ Jesus be in me. God bless me and cause me to always think, act, and react with a God solution-focused heart, mind, attitude, and spirit. God help me, show me how, and bless me to have an ever-growing closer, stronger, more intimate relationship with You. So that I may come to know You better, love You more, and make You known. God let Your Word dwell within me richly. Bless me with a deep and abiding love to read, listen to, meditate upon, study, and obey Your Word. Bless me to prosper, walk in excellent health, and never stop growing in the grace, knowledge, wisdom, and love of Christ Jesus. God heal me totally in all areas of my life. I have prayed in Jesus' name that God will answer your prayer request according to God's perfect love, wisdom, will, timing, grace, and mercy.Ī Prayer For You: God I ask You in Jesus' name bless me with the desires of my heart that is the will of God for my life and the lives of those I pray for.
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